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Meeting highlights:
- 12 Years of Industry Presence: Established over a decade ago to address critical gaps in women’s health, specifically in underserved communities.
- Innovative Research and Patents done in Mexico: Timser Group has developed and patented 20 biomarkers, with patents spanning 92 countries.
- Targeting Cervical Cancer and HPV: Timser's research aims to have less invasive, earlier-stage treatments.
- Preventative Approach: The focus is on preventing disease progression rather than waiting to treat it, a shift from traditional approaches to women's healthcare.
- New Investment: Timser has recently secured $3.7 million in funding to accelerate research and expand their global footprint.
- The problem of funding for Women’s Health: Only 1-2% of global health research budgets are dedicated specifically to women’s health. Within this limited allocation, cervical cancer receives approximately 0.69% of total global cancer research funding, despite being the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, surpassed only by breast cancer.
- The importance of partnering with medical professionals
- Education and Outreach: Emphasizing the importance of awareness, especially in families and communities, to destigmatize and educate on women’s health
EF: Could you briefly explain the history of Timser Group and the part you currently play in the Mexican market?
MGS: We founded our company 12 years ago after recognizing a critical need for dignified treatments for women in vulnerable groups within Mexican society. At the time, most cervical cancer therapies involved highly invasive procedures, often resulting in significant physical and emotional trauma.
One of the key drivers was the impact of HPV, a communicable disease linked to cervical cancer. Without timely treatment, it can cause severe lesions in sensitive areas such as the mouth, throat, and genital regions. We encountered heartbreaking cases of young girls facing limited options that often led to life-altering outcomes. This drove us to invest in research aimed at finding innovative solutions to combat such illnesses with compassion and dignity.
Currently, we have two patents on cervical cancer prevention, and there are over 80 patents worldwide for cervical cancer detection and treatment. We began looking for low-cost, high-impact treatments and techniques that were more suitable for women and offered them better choices for self-care. While it is not yet available on the market, we realized that effective treatment alone was insufficient if illnesses couldn’t be detected early. This led us to focus on prevention, particularly detecting diseases before they show symptoms. Cervical cancer, for instance, has a death rate of 57% globally, but in low-income communities it can reach 70%, meaning that a woman who has the disease has a 30% chance of surviving.
EF: Cervical cancer remains a major health concern, particularly in developing countries. What are your thoughts on current diagnostic methods, and how has your research contributed to addressing this issue?
MGS: In Mexico and many developing countries, cervical cancer screening programs are alarmingly ineffective. Only 30% of women undergo pap smears, leaving 70% of the population at risk. While cervical cancer can take about a decade to develop, it remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 25 to 35.
Women’s health has historically been underfunded, with only 1-2% of global research funding allocated to it—much of which focuses on menopause, breast cancer, or psychological conditions. To tackle this disparity, we’ve concentrated on cervical cancer, creating innovative, less invasive solutions to better serve women, especially in underserved communities.
Recognizing these challenges, we began studying biomarkers even before the World Health Organization’s 2020 call to action on cervical cancer prevention. Biomarkers are essentially the body’s response to disease; in our case, we’ve identified proteins that become overexpressed in cervical cancer or precancerous lesions. Through our research, we patented 20 biomarkers that allow us to detect cervical cancer at every stage—from early lesions to advanced disease—with over 95.5% sensitivity for cervical cancer through a simple blood test.
This innovation addresses critical gaps in women’s healthcare, particularly the limitations of traditional methods like the pap smear. While widely used, pap smears are invasive, uncomfortable, and limited to specific timeframes. Even more concerning, they offer only between 30 and 50% accuracy in detecting cervical cancer or precancerous lesions, contributing to a 30% decline in their use in the U.S. over the past decade.
Through extensive clinical trials, we uncovered that women secrete specific proteins at the onset of cancer development. These groundbreaking findings have been patented, solidifying our commitment to advancing early detection. Our global footprint is evident in the patenting of 20 unique biomarkers detectable in the blood, now protected or in the process of being granted in 85 countries worldwide. This journey has been profoundly enlightening, shaping our understanding of cancer diagnostics and reinforcing our mission to innovate for better health outcomes.
EF: Can you tell us about your company’s journey and its impact?
MG: We are a proud, woman-led company founded by my mother, Teresa, whose vision and determination launched this journey with her personal savings. We have grown into a professionalized enterprise, earning the trust and support of institutional investors who share our mission. Recently, we achieved a pivotal milestone by securing a $3.7 million investment, bringing us closer to developing an innovative IVD kit and rapid test that will make this life-changing technology accessible to women everywhere. Beyond our business achievements, we have ignited a movement in Mexico, challenging traditional paradigms and advocating for more innovative and inclusive approaches to women’s health.
The diagnostic processes for women's health, including breast cancer detection, remain largely outdated and invasive. While men have benefited from advancements like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which offers a less invasive screening option, similar innovations for women have yet to emerge. Closing this gender gap in medical research is essential, and we are proud to be leading the charge in this transformative effort. Despite resistance from some healthcare professionals who remain attached to the traditional pap smear, we are demonstrating that a better, more accessible method is not only feasible but essential. We are actively working to raise awareness among medical communities and collaborate with them to integrate these advancements into routine practice.
As the first women-led company in Latin America with over three patents in women’s health, our mission has always been to deliver dignified and impactful solutions. However, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In underserved communities, we discovered that cultural resistance wasn’t the main barrier to cervical cancer screening—systemic issues like inadequate equipment and training were. In many cases, the same tools were used for women of all ages, causing pain, bleeding, and even long-term trauma. It’s no surprise that families avoided seeking care.
We are now developing the lateral flow rapid test, which will allow you to quickly determine whether you are in danger or not with a single drop of blood in 15 minutes. Although the test won't confirm the presence of cancer, it identifies high-risk factors linked to cervical cancer or lesions. Designed with prevention in mind, the test differentiates between indicators of precancerous lesions and malignant conditions, making it a proactive tool for early intervention.
EF: What are your top priorities right now to advance the business?
MS: Our work is guided by two main priorities: advancing research and development and expanding access to new markets. On the research front, we’ve made significant strides. Our biomarkers are well-documented in scientific literature, and we’ve nearly completed the scientific phase of development. Currently, we’re working closely with the Mexican regulatory body and preparing to engage with the FDA through the Breakthrough Devices program. We’re developing two types of kits:
- Lab testing kits provide medical professionals with precise protein concentration data to guide clinical decisions.
- Rapid point-of-care tests, similar to COVID-19 tests, offer qualitative results for greater accessibility and ease of use.
Our clinical trials in Mexico are well underway, with plans to start trials in the U.S. soon. With 90% of our investment dedicated to research and trials, we’re on track to launch the kit by June or July next year, aiming for FDA submission before year-end.
Beyond product development, our second priority is spreading awareness and forming global partnerships. We’ve already presented at key events like the Women’s Economic Forum and the International Congress of Gynecology in Dubai, but the core message isn’t just about the cervical cancer device. It’s about advocating for a broader commitment to women’s health. We hope that governments and corporations will invest in this cause and help us make our solutions more accessible.
As a Mexican company, we’re seeking strategic partnerships to expand our global reach. Teresa Smith, our board president, is leading efforts in Spain to establish collaborations with local companies and authorities as we open an office there to serve the European market. Over the next two years, we aim to forge partnerships across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America to make these advancements accessible to women everywhere.
EF: What legacy do you want to leave behind as a female leader in Mexico?
MS: I am deeply committed to the power of doing good. When my six siblings and I first embarked on this venture, we made a collective decision as a family to invest in it, united by a shared desire to create a meaningful impact. This has never been about seeking fleeting recognition; true impact is something that resonates, inspires others and grows into something far greater. Together, as both a family and a team, we have built this from the ground up, driven by the belief that when your intent is to genuinely change lives, people will believe in your mission, and success will follow organically.
For our investors, this is not merely a business venture—it’s a mission to save lives. In just the past year, we’ve conducted 18,800 tests, and each time we identify someone in need of urgent treatment, it reinforces our purpose. The knowledge that we’ve helped someone who was unaware they had cancer is profoundly rewarding and serves as a constant source of motivation. It is this impact, this life-changing work, that drives us forward.
This is a mission-driven by belief—not just mine, but by the unwavering conviction of my family, investors and our entire team at Timser. Our goal is to build a legacy of transformation and lifesaving impact. While being recognized as a tech company is gratifying, it’s not what defines us. What truly defines us is our unshakable commitment to a cause greater than ourselves. We want to be remembered not for what we’ve achieved, but for taking a bold stand for women’s health when no one else would—simply because it was the right thing to do. We are here to make a difference that will echo through generations to come.
